Campaigners have welcomed a decision by Frodsham town councillors to put the brakes on the proposed sale of a recreation ground pending a consultation on their play strategy.
Some residents were upset at plans to sell Park Lane for housing while others were concerned the money raised would be used to fund ‘a skate park’ at Churchfields.
Up to 50 members of the public attended Monday’s Frodsham Town Council where councillors agreed to put the plans on hold and carry out a town-wide consultation on their play strategy, including examining whether funds should be raised by selling ‘surplus’ land.
Cheshire West and town councillor Andrew Dawson said: “For me it makes sense that, within reason, the proposed consultation covers more than the play strategy, Park Lane, and Churchfields.
“We have other closed play areas such as along Ship Street.
“It makes sense that we ask the people of Frodsham about the future for these sites too.
“Consultations are difficult to get right, are often expensive, and those on the receiving end have to be ‘engaged’ otherwise the consultation will end up in the bin as nothing more than a waste of money.”
Former Frodsham resident Lance Yates, of Helsby, who has spearheaded the campaign against the sell-off, commented: “The council has decided to consult and you have got to applaud them for having the guts to change their mind in view of the strength of opinion.”
Residents of Park Lane will be pleased with the outcome after organising a demonstration at the Park Lane plot which was closed because of the sell-off plan.
In a statement, householders had accused the town council of ‘arrogance’.
It read: “They should be fighting with us to save the land and not selling the land beneath our feet.”
